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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Communism and Marxism?

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The main difference between communism and Marxism is that communism is a political system based on Marxist principles, while Marxism is a social, political, and economic philosophy developed by Karl Marx. Here are some key distinctions between the two:

  1. Nature: Marxism is a theory, a way to view the world and a system of analysis. In contrast, communism is a form of government, a condition of society, and a political movement.
  2. Ownership: Both Marxism and communism advocate for collective ownership of the means of production, but they differ in their approach towards private property. Marxism calls for the abolition of private property as a process of socialization, while communism envisions the immediate abolition of private property.
  3. State: One of the key differences between communism and Marxism is their approach towards the state. Marxism emphasizes the temporary dictatorship of the proletariat as a necessary step towards the revolution. In contrast, communism envisions the abolition of the state and the establishment of collective decision-making.
  4. Violence: The key difference between communism and Marxism is that communists believe in using violence to achieve their goals, while Marxists do not.

In summary, while Marxism and communism share many similarities, they are not the same thing. Marxism is a broad philosophy that encompasses a wide range of ideas and theories, while communism is a specific political ideology built on some of the key principles of Marxism.

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  • What is the Difference Between Communism and Marxism?
  • Comparative Table: Communism vs Marxism

    • Comparative Table: Communism vs Marxism

    Here is a table comparing the main differences between communism and Marxism:

    Feature Communism Marxism
    Definition A political system based on Marxist ideology, aiming for a classless society with common ownership of property and resources. A social, political, and economic theory developed by Karl Marx, focusing on the struggles between capitalists and the working class.
    Approach Practical implementation of Marxist principles. Theoretical foundation for communism and other socialist movements.
    State Envisions the abolition of the state and the establishment of collective decision-making. Emphasizes the temporary dictatorship of the proletariat as a necessary step towards the abolition of the state.
    Private Property Calls for the immediate abolition of private property. Calls for the abolition of private property, but not immediately, rather as a process of socialization of the means of production.
    Economic System Advocates for a planned economy and collective ownership of the means of production. Critiques capitalism as the cause of exploitation and alienation, while communism aims to eliminate the exploitation of labor by capital and create a society based on collective ownership.

    In summary, communism is a specific political ideology built on some key principles of Marxism, such as the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless society. Marxism, on the other hand, is a broader political and economic philosophy developed by Karl Marx in the 19th century, which has been used as the foundation for various socialist movements, including communism.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.